thankful.

it's that time of year.

the time of year to gather with family and friends that you haven't seen in months.

the time of year to stuff yourself with dressing and ham and eating turkey even if your not crazy about it.

via instagram

the time of year for the cousins to weigh before and after the thanksgiving meal and counting the pounds gained.

the time of year to write down "thankful for's" and to count the blessings that are abundantly overflowing.

via instagram

the time of year where everyone gathers around the tv to watch the face-off between the tide and tigers.

the time of year to go pick out the perfect Christmas tree and build a fire and listen to Christmas music while ooohing and ahhhing over the ornaments that haven't been seen in a year.

via instagram

the time of year to get all Christmas shopping done which means staying up all night to fight the black friday craziness.

the time of year to find the perfect hiding spot in the house for the presents you bought so that no sneaky peekers will get too curious.

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(pictures taken from this past weekend. my 22nd birthday was happy and blessed. my boyfriend came from kentucky and there were lots of family of friends who showered me with birthday love.)

what happy things does thanksgiving have in store for you?

i hope you all have a happy week and try not to eat too much turkey, okay? ;)

a and m :: the big day.

a perfect day (it rained the day before and the day after. God is amazing.), waking up knowing this was the last night my sister would be sleeping upstairs with me, me and the sis taking our time to take a shower and eat a little breakfast at home, listening to wedding playlist music on the way to the venue, a quick raking job by daddy, setting the tables with the bridesmaids the correct way (haha!), hair and makeup...did i mention how FUN that was?...well it was, a quick photo shoot in our robes, the excitement of slipping our dresses over our heads and getting that "princess feeling" all over again, a card from the groom to his bride delivered by his mom, spying on the groom without him knowing (they did not see each other before the ceremony...or so the groom thought *insert sneaky grin*), hanging out in the weight room (*ahem* i mean, the brides room) and being silly and giddy from all the excitement, one last picture with the sister before she is a married woman, getting butterflies before walking down the isle (and it wasn't even my wedding. sheeesh.), the bro-in-law's "first look" (a little smirk-smile thing), starting to tear up after he says "i do," a sisterly embrace after after the ceremony and after walking back down the isle, a dinner of turnip green soup//potato soup//bread bowls//fruit//sandwiches & wraps//sweet tea & apple cider punch, cousins sneaking away to write on the trucks windows, sparklers lit, "the dip," cleanup till late late, sitting around the fire with friends and family, rain sprinkles beginning to fall as the last box was loaded.

instagrammin' photos.

spying on her man.

our last pic as two single sisters.
15 minutes before she would say "i do."

the grandparents.

"it's almost time!"

a tearful (but happy) sisterly embrace.

bro-in-law was the carrier of "the tail."

the guestbook.

"is it time to go yet?"
(hehe!)

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a and m :: the dress.

yes,

my sister is gorgeous.

the end.

Photographer::

SunniSue's Photography

Dress::

The Clothes Rack

y'all are so cool.

i just feel so loved and blessed right now.

this thing called blogging can be amazing when it wants to be.

sometimes it can be a headache when you think: "oh man. i haven't posted in a week!"

and then again, when you share your joys and sorrows, bloggy friends just come out of the woodwork and leave lots of love in that comment box down there.

that's what y'all did on that last post of mine i published.

just in case i haven't told y'all...

y'all are so cool.

(and just because a post isn't complete without a picture.)

this was today's reminder on instagram. 

ladies (and guys too), remember that you are more than what you see. 

you are treasured.

you are valued.

you are loved.

who cares if that zit won't go away on your chin or your bald spot was showing extra especially today. 

you are fearfully and wonderfully made by the most amazing Creator--God.

enjoy it.

                                                                                   //Source via Pinterest//

it has been hard.

hard to realize that my sister is now married and is living in her own house with her new hubby.
hard to realize that she is an 1 1/2 hours away and i am not able to see her everyday.
hard because when she comes to visit, it's just that, a visit. her bronco drives away at the end.
hard because i'm the only one listening to taylor swift pandora now. instead of hers playing just as loud across the hall.
hard because we aren't walking into sunday school together or sitting side by side in worship anymore.


yes, it's been hard. and yes, my mom and i both have shed tears.

but.

it's also easy.

it's easy to know that she is married to one of the best Christian men out there.
it's easy to know that that 1 1/2 hour long drive is manageable and we can visit as often as she invites us.
*wink wink*
it's easy because now, it's a treat to see that bronco pull up in the yard and it's something we can look forward to.
it's easy because now, i'm hooked on bluegrass radio instead of tay-tay.
it's easy knowing that she has a manly man who will lead her in the paths of righteousness and who will be her spiritual provider. she has a husband who will make sure that they are both at church every time the doors are open.


that's what makes it easy.


yup, i still have my "missing my sister a lot days," but, i have chosen to embrace it.

to enjoy it.

because it is happening.

life happens.

things change.

here's to being happy with life and change.

a and m :: rehearsal dinner prep and action.

a drizzling rainy day, round white tables, steaming tablecloths and ironing napkins, light-hanging shenanigans, a frustrated daddy and a son who takes over and has everyone laughing their head off, brother climbing off the ladder and sitting on the wooden beam (made for two scared sisters), light bulbs that burst, to-do lists and strong men to accomplish them, busyness and craziness but then again, organized chaos...

curled hair and up-do's by a best friend, make-up touch-ups and showers taken at a friend's house from church down the road, slipping on brand-new dresses just for this happy occasion, greeting guests as they arrive, a yummy dinner of chicken/pork/green beans/rolls/hashbrown casserole/salad/a variety of desserts, enjoying the picture slideshow put together by bro-in-law and sis, slipping on comfy clothes after the guests left and setting up for the big day the next day, not-planned jean jackets worn, a late night....

via instagram

mom had a list for everybody--even my boyfriend.
*wink*

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a best friend since we were 8 styled mine and mom's hair.

me and my handsome man.

bro-in-law meeting uncle milton and aunt laurel for the first time.